High risk business

MCC 5967

Direct Marketing—Inbound Telemarketing Merchants

Merchants that provide one or more audiotext or videotext services that can be accessed via phone, fax, or over an open network such as the Internet. The cardholder initiates contact with the merchant and all subsequent transactions. This MCC applies to information services offered over the telephone or the Internet, as well as to products that may be sold through such services. Information services are provided for a fee and may include polls, sweepstakes, adult chat and entertainment, nude and naked content, 18+ webcam and livecam shows, sports scores, stock market quotes,horoscope readings, or other audio text or videotext services that consumers listen to, view, or participate in. For providers of electronic bulletin board access or online services provided via personal computers, use MCC 4816.

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Disclaimer : The Merchant Category Code (MCC) provided is based on the official classifications from Visa and Mastercard, supplemented by insights from Risk & Compliance experts. The final determination and allocation of MCCs remain the responsibility of the payment service provider licensed by Visa and Mastercard. This recommendation is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as definitive or binding guidance.

how it works

Merchant Category Code (MCC): Everything you need to know

What's an MCC?

A Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit number assigned to merchants by acquiring banks when a merchant account is created. This code categorizes your business based on the goods or services you offer and is recognized by payment networks like Visa and Mastercard.

Who assigns MCCs?

MCCs are assigned by your acquiring bank, following guidelines set by card networks such as Visa and Mastercard. While these guidelines are clear, assigning the right MCC often involves judgment by the acquirer. Misclassification - whether accidental or intentional - can lead to serious consequences, including penalties or disrupted payment processing.

Why do MCCs matter?

MCCs influence several critical aspects of your business operations, such as the interchange fee (amounts paid to card-issuing banks for transaction processing), merchant risk profile, spending restrictions or rewards. To determine your MCC, consider the following options: contact your payment processor, refer to payment network classification lists, or use our MCC lookup tool to find and verify your MCC.

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Browse the Merchant Category Code (MCC) database to discover they mean for your business.

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